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Financial goals to help boost your borrowing power

Three simple habits for getting loan ready this year.

Laura Orchard
Laura Orchard28 Jan 2026 ・ 2 min read
Home loans
Car loans
Personal loans
Debt consolidation

When preparing to apply for a loan, your financial patterns matter.

While intentions are important, lenders focus on the behaviours shown in your financial history. The good news is that certain habits may help support a stronger lending position.

Here are three goals that could make a difference to your borrowing power.

1. Build a consistent monthly surplus

A steady surplus is one of the clearest signs of lending readiness. Even a small amount left over each month may help demonstrate your ability to manage future loan repayments.

A regular surplus shows lenders you’re living within your means. If your surplus varies from month to month, reviewing your spending patterns can help you understand how these may appear to lenders.

2. Reduce or consolidate existing debts

Credit cards, personal loans and Buy Now Pay Later services all influence how your borrowing capacity is assessed. Even unused limits count as part of your commitments.

Reducing, closing or consolidating smaller debts may help improve your borrowing position by lowering the repayment load lenders consider. This can also help create clearer patterns in your bank statements.

If you’re unsure how different commitments may be viewed, your Liberty Adviser can explain how lenders typically assess them.

3. Create a buffer for lending stability

A regular saving or offset habit may show lenders you’re prepared for unexpected expenses and able to manage loan commitments over time. Even small, consistent contributions help demonstrate stability and that you can manage future obligations.

A buffer may also help you maintain your borrowing position by showing a pattern of responsible financial management.

Start with small, steady steps

Whether you’re ready to borrow now or simply planning ahead, positive patterns could support a stronger loan application.

For help to understand your borrowing position, speak with your Liberty Adviser today.

This information is intended to provide general guidance on borrowing power, and is not a guarantee of loan approval. Final approval is subject to a lender’s credit assessment and your circumstances.

Laura Orchard
Laura OrchardAuthor
Laura Orchard is a financial writer at Liberty with over a decade of professional writing experience. She is passionate about simplifying complex concepts to help inspire financial freedom. Laura has a Bachelor of Media and Communications from Deakin University.

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